The Last King of Texas

by Rick Riordan

Book Overview

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series Multiple-award-winning author Rick Riordan brings back smart-mouthed Texas P.I. Tres Navarre for his most dangerous case yet. If you think the academic world is deadly dull, you're half right.... When a controversial English professor is found shot to death, Tres Navarre -- P.I. and Ph.D. -- is the only local academic crazy enough to accept the emergency opening...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553579916
• ISBN13: 9780553579918
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.4" x 7.1"

Customer Reviews

Intrigue in San Antonio

I first read "The Widower's Two-Step" and was a little familiar with some of the characters. This book got a great review in the Dallas Morning News so, I decided to give it a shot. The writing is terrific. Riordan does marvelous descriptions of most of the characters and the various San Antonio neighborhoods. One gripe in the description department, what does Tres (the principal character) look like? Tres' physical appearance, other than his injuries, are glossed over. I want a picture of this guy, please. The mystery behind the murders is not all that puzzling. Riordan gives you a lot of clues before the final enlightenment. The characters in this book are fresh and different--not at all run-of-the-mill, and that includes the bad guys. If you are looking to escape from your everyday world and meet a decidedly cool teacher/private eye then, this is the book for you. People from his past and present collide in rather unexpected ways.

Excellent crime/drama laced with humor

This is the first Rick Riordan book I've read and I look forward to reading his previous 'Tres Nevarre' novels. I liken Riordan's style to that of a Texan Carl Hiaasen. While Hiaasen weighs heavier on humor, Riordan weaves a fast-action murder mystery with sarcastic wit throughout. I believe anyone would enjoy this novel, unless their idea of fun is curling up to a tech manual.

Riordan entices with another winner!

Excellently written and crafted, The Last King of Texas will keep you turning pages even if you're not from the Lone Star state. Riordan expertly puts you into the head of his hero and entertains with a cast of intriquing characters. Riordan's descriptions of his settings are vivid and make you feel right at home in San Antonio. The dialogue is crisp and endures the reader to the hero, Tres. Another winner from a talented author. Read it. You won't be disappointed.

Tres Navarre is back...and better than ever

Rick Riordan does it again. Another fast-pace, edge of the seat mystery starring Tres Navarre...hunk of a P.I. who makes Spenser looks tame. This time he not only solves the case but finally gets to use that English PHD, teaching at UT San Antonio. Tres starts out trying to figure out who keeps killing English lit professors at UTSA and ends up uncovering gang and mob connections to drugs and amusement park rides. In the end he almost gets himself killed and finds out that the good guys you depend on aren't always who and what you think they are. On a happy note, he may have a new woman in his life. But we'll have to wait until the next book to find out for sure. This book is impossible to put down, a real page-turner with lots of excitement and surprises. A must read for mystery fans.

Tomorrow's superstar has written another winner

Dr. Theodore Haimer was forced into retirement after making a racial slur. Soon after, he died from a heart attack. His replacement as an English professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio was Dr. Aaron Brandon. He received several threatening letters. In his first semester at the school, someone murdered Aaron. The administration offers the teaching seat to Tres Navarre. Besides English literature credentials, Tres has the additional experience of working for a private investigator. Tres accepts the position after a home made bomb addressed to Aaron blows up in the office.The head of the Brandon murder investigation, San Antonio police detective Ana DeLeon, demands that Tres do no sleuthing. The police think Aaron's murder is personal and tied to the killing of his father several years ago. Tres, PI boss Erainya Manos also wants him to stay out of the investigation. The university has hired her agency to look into the threatening letters. She wants Tres to teach while another of her operatives, George Berton, uncover the facts. Tres may know his English literature well enough to teach three classes, but he also cannot stay on the sidelines, especially since he potentially could be victim number three.The third Tres Navarre mystery is an entertaining tale that provides insight into the lead protagonist and several of the repeat supporting cast. The enjoyable story line is filled with action and colorful characters that provide insight into San Antonio. The subplots nicely tie back to the main story line. As with his two previous Navarre novels (see BIG RED TEQUILLA and THE WIDOWER'S TWO-STEP) Rick Riordan writes an enjoyable novel that provides readers with much pleasure.Harriet Klausner